FAQs - Performance Criteria

How do resilient floors perform over concrete subfloors used for heat storage?

Concrete slab floors used to store heat in sunspaces and sunlit areas do not have their heat storage impeded by resilient floor coverings. Factors affecting the amount of heat storage among resilient products includes the color of the flooring and the existence of air layers within the installation (i.e. air between the floor covering and subfloor). (Ref.: ASHRAE JOURNAL, N.E. Hager, Jr; 12/83, p. 29-32)

What is the R-value of resilient floors?

The R-value of vinyl flooring is very low relative to other insulative-type materials. The range of R-value in various vinyl flooring products is affected by product composition, structure, thickness, and the presence of foam in the product. However, that range is very small when compared to the magnitude of R-values of insulative-type materials vs. vinyl floor coverings. The R-values of installed vinyl flooring typically range from 0.05 to 0.17.

What is resilience?

Resilience is a property involving the elastic energy in a material, which causes it to regain its original shape after having been indented by a high pressure load.

What types of loads affect resilient flooring?

Impact loads are those momentary indentations like those produced from walking traffic. These impact pressures are high (often as much as several thousand pounds per square inch), and the smaller (or sharper) the impact area, the more damaging the indentation.

Static loads are any load remaining in a stationary position for long periods of time. Static load limit values have been established to aid in the selection and protection of resilient flooring for use under these conditions.

Newly installed floors should not be exposed to routine rolling loads (carts, litters, etc.) for at least 72 hrs. after installation to allow setting and drying of adhesives. The bearing surface area of wheels is deceptively small, resulting in higher compressive forces than may be anticipated. Therefore when moving heavy fixtures or appliances over resilient flooring on casters or dollies, the flooring should be protected with 1/4" or thicker plywood, hardboard or other underlayment panels.

How does the light reflectance of floors affect the room's interior?

Brightness and quality of light play an important role in the illumination of institutional, commercial and industrial facilities. The light reflectivity ratings of resilient floors are important when taking the complete interior environment into consideration.

Since a majority of resilient floors are made of combinations of different colors, measured light reflectance value are average values based on a large area of the pattern. (Light reflectivity values are determined by measuring the percentage of light directed at any surface that is then reflected under standardized test conditions.)

The Illuminating Engineering Society of North America recommends that floors have a reflectance factor of 20% to 40% for optimal sight in offices.

How can you determine the durability of resilient floors?

To determine the durability of resilient flooring as related to traffic wear, it is necessary to take many factors into consideration. These factors should include: abrasion resistance, resistance to gouging, punctures, cuts, and impacts, as well as, rolling and sliding (dynamic) loads and standing (static) loads. Armstrong commercial resilient flooring is manufactured in a variety of durable, long wearing structures. Each structure offers it's own unique design and performance characteristics.

Are Armstrong's vinyl floors affected by UV (ultraviolet) light?

Armstrong's vinyl floors are formulated for light resistance. However, exposing vinyl floors to high intensity UV light through large windows or doors can cause UV degradation. In these areas, the use of low E-glass, or applying low E-glass coatings or films to the glass are recommended. These low E-glass products filter UVA and UVB light frequencies, and lower the chance of UV degradation.

What does "environmentally friendly" or "environmentally compatible" mean?

These terms are used to describe chemical compounds that do not contain any hazardous substances to both the human and ecological environments. These types of products are designed to not contain any hazardous substances (according to current governmental regulations), to not contain organic solvents that might react in the atmosphere and create smog (non-photochemically reactive), and to be low in odor so they can be used in sensitive installations where indoor air quality is an issue. Armstrong's Next Generationä products are low in VOCs or have no VOCs, nonflammable, ammonia-free, low odor, contain low or no organic solvents, and contain no reportable hazardous substances (per current regulations).